UConn's Mosqueda-Lewis rises again to top of her game

Rich Elliott

Published 10:50 pm, Tuesday, March 25, 2014

STORRS -- Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis tried her best to remain upbeat this season. She tried to put on a happy face despite missing a total of 12 games due to a nerve contusion in her right elbow and a bout with mononucleosis.

Through it all, inside, Mosqueda-Lewis was not herself. Being in and out of the lineup never allowed her to get into a rhythm for an extended period. Her confidence was reeling. After being named an All-American as a sophomore last season, this was hardly what she wanted to follow.

Mosqueda-Lewis needed to fight through this adversity, and it took her much longer than she hoped to get right. But she has and she is playing like an All-American at the most critical point in the season.

Mosqueda-Lewis produced 20 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists Tuesday to lead top-seeded UConn to a 91-52 win over ninth-seeded Saint Joseph's in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

"I was just probably as happy as any time I've been in any NCAA tournament game to see K play the way she played (Tuesday) because I think deep down in her heart, I think (Tuesday) is who she is," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. "It just doesn't come out enough times. I don't know why, but I think (Tuesday), that's who she is and I hope there's a lot more of those in the next couple weeks."

It was the third triple-double in team history, joining senior Stefanie Dolson (26 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists vs. Oregon, Nov. 20) and Laura Lishness (14 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists vs. Providence, March 5, 1989). It was the first for a UConn player in the NCAA tournament and the 14th in the history of the tournament.

Mosqueda-Lewis had 13 points, five rebounds and five assists in the first half. She recorded her 10th assist on a layup by Breanna Stewart with 13:46 left in the game. She then cemented her spot in history when she grabbed a defensive rebound off of a missed jumper by Natasha Cloud with 6:18 remaining.

"After the season I had last year, I had hopes of coming back and doing the same thing or even better," Mosqueda-Lewis said. "When that didn't happen, your confidence goes down, but I knew it was in there somewhere. I just had to keep trying and keep pushing myself."

Mosqueda-Lewis, who left the game to a standing ovation with 4:34 left, was unaware that she had a triple-double until Bria Hartley told her on the sideline.

"Being out and sitting out of games, it's never fun," Hartley said. "And it's tough being on the sideline and it's a little different when you come back. You kind of got to get into the groove of things. I think just the way she's been practicing and the way her attitude has been, it's been awesome these last couple of days. And it shows."

This type of performance had been building for Mosqueda-Lewis over the past couple of weeks. She averaged 14.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in The American tournament to earn a spot on the all-tournament team.

The 12-day layoff prior to the start of the NCAA tournament proved beneficial as she has continued her postseason run of success.

Overall, Mosqueda-Lewis has reached double figures in scoring (15.0) and played at least 30 minutes (32.0) in a season-high six straight games. She is also averaging 6.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists and shooting 50.0 percent from 3-point range (15-of-30) in this stretch.

"The coaches have been telling me, `You have to be a complete player. You have to make sure that you're contributing in different ways,"' Mosqueda-Lewis said. "And I think that (Auriemma) is definitely right. When I'm playing at my best is when I'm doing everything that is possible, whether it's rebounding or getting the ball to my teammates or shooting the ball or just playing good defense."